Abstract: A video sequence control system that includes an input video frame buffer and an output video frame selection component is described. The input video frame buffer receives input video frames from a video source. The output video frame selection component determines the video frame to be output according to a scheduler that provides timing information and modulation information. The timing information includes information regarding when a video frame will be output. The modulation information varies dependent upon the frame types available to be output, wherein the available frame types include at least image frames from the input video frame buffer and functional frames, wherein the at least image frames and functional frames are output according to a pattern defined by the scheduler. In addition based on the timing information, a synchronization output signal is output corresponding to the output of the functional frame.

Abstract: A video sequence control system that includes an input video frame buffer and an output video frame selection component is described. The input video frame buffer receives input video frames from a video source. The output video frame selection component determines the video frame to be output according to a scheduler that provides timing information and modulation information. The timing information includes information regarding when a video frame will be output. The modulation information varies dependent upon the frame types available to be output, wherein the available frame types include at least image frames from the input video frame buffer and functional frames, wherein the at least image frames and functional frames are output according to a pattern defined by the scheduler. In addition based on the timing information, a synchronization output signal is output corresponding to the output of the functional frame.

Abstract: A computing apparatus is configured to operate under multiple operational policies. In a method for controlling the computing apparatus, a plurality of sensors are correlated with a plurality of actuators. An operational policy of the multiple operational policies is selected to implement and input from the plurality of sensors is received. The inputs are analyzed to identify at least one of the plurality of actuators to be manipulated based upon the correlation and the selected operational policy to implement. In addition, at least one of the identified plurality of actuators is manipulated based upon the selected operational policy.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an enclosure for the electronic device and a duct extending from an interior to an exterior of the enclosure to exhaust airflow from the enclosure. The electronic device further includes an active noise control mechanism. The active noise control mechanism includes an internal sensor, an external sensor, and an acoustic wave generator. The internal sensor is arranged within the enclosure to sense a noise and generate an internal sensor output, and the external sensor is arranged outside of the enclosure to detect sounds and generate an external sensor output. Based on the internal sensor output and the external sensor output, the acoustic wave generator generates an acoustic wave within the duct to reduce the noise.

Abstract: A system and method for context-aware computer management is disclosed. The method of the present invention includes the steps of, assigning database information clearance levels; assigning smart badges one of the clearance levels; identifying smart badges having a lowest clearance level; and providing access to database information having clearance levels no higher than the lowest clearance level. The system of the present invention includes a database storing information differentiated by several clearance levels; a beacon; a set of smart badges, in visible communication with the beacon and assigned one of the clearance levels; a system service module, connected to the beacon, for identifying a lowest clearance level assigned to the smart badges; and a software application, connected to the service module and the database, for providing access to information within the database having clearance levels no higher than the lowest clearance level.

Abstract: A localization method for setting the locale of a configurable device is presented. The first portion of the localization transmits localization selections for a target locale to a configurable device. Localization selections are initially set on an interrogator device and then transmitted wirelessly using RFID or other technologies from the interrogator device to a tag coupled to the configurable device. A second portion of the localization receives localization selections for a target locale on the configurable device. A tag receives from an interrogator device one or more localization selections for the target locale on the configurable device. These localization selections are stored on the tag until the configurable device is powered-on. Device initialization causes another portion of the localization to set a target locale on a configurable device. Firmware accesses localization selections previously stored on the tag and then sets the default localization selections in the firmware for the device.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an enclosure for the electronic device and a duct extending from an interior to an exterior of the enclosure to exhaust airflow from the enclosure. The electronic device further includes an active noise control mechanism. The active noise control mechanism includes an internal sensor, an external sensor, and an acoustic wave generator. The internal sensor is arranged within the enclosure to sense a noise and generate an internal sensor output, and the external sensor is arranged outside of the enclosure to detect sounds and generate an external sensor output. Based on the internal sensor output and the external sensor output, the acoustic wave generator generates an acoustic wave within the duct to reduce the noise.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an enclosure for the electronic device and a fan to create an airflow for cooling electronic components contained in the enclosure. A port extends from an interior to an exterior of the enclosure and is arranged to allow airflow to pass therethrough, where the port comprises a port duct and an end having curved lips. An active noise control device detects a noise generated by the fan and generates an acoustic wave to reduce the noise.

Abstract: Methods and systems for browsing video content are described. Video content is accessed. Metadata from a content analysis that is performed on said video content is generated. A portion of said video content based on said generated metadata is presented for display.

Abstract: A method and system of tracking documents uses tags and a workflow. Initially, a workflow is developed for each document or type of documents using a state diagram. The workflow specifies a subset of one or more destinations that the document is allowed to travel and a sequence for this travel. A tag is associated with each document to enable tracking of the document as it passes the one or more readers in the various destinations. These tag readers in turn report back position information on the document to assist in locating the document. A comparison between the state diagram for the workflow and the position information gathered from the tag readers determines if the document is outside the desired workflow. An alert is generated when the document is outside the workflow and not being processed as intended.

Abstract: A localization method for setting the locale of a configurable device is presented. The first portion of the localization transmits localization selections for a target locale to a configurable device. Localization selections are initially set on an interrogator device and then transmitted wirelessly using RFID or other technologies from the interrogator device to a tag coupled to the configurable device. A second portion of the localization receives localization selections for a target locale on the configurable device. A tag receives from an interrogator device one or more localization selections for the target locale on the configurable device. These localization selections are stored on the tag until the configurable device is powered-on. Device initialization causes another portion of the localization to set a target locale on a configurable device. Firmware accesses localization selections previously stored on the tag and then sets the default localization selections in the firmware for the device.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for performing discovery between devices in a network. Using event-driven discovery, devices conserve energy resources and more rapidly join a given network. The event-driven discovery detects a common-event associated with a first device preparing to communicate with a second device. The first device then discovers the second device in response to detection of the common-event. For example, this common-event could be a handshake with another person. During discovery, the first and second devices exchange respective information and optionally may establish a communication session to exchange further information if desired.

Abstract: Barcode data communication methods, barcode embedding methods, and barcode systems are described. According to one embodiment, a barcode data communication method includes accessing a composite image comprising a disguised barcode image incapable of being directly read from a base image by a barcode reader, extracting data corresponding to the barcode image from the composite image, modifying the data to provide the barcode image in a state wherein the barcode image may be directly read by a barcode reader, and reading the barcode image using the barcode reader after the modifying.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for digital photograph presentation. A method for digital photograph presentation in accordance with one embodiment includes reading a still-picture file for a selected photograph from a DVD disk (402), transcoding (500) data from the still-picture file into a sequence of frames, and decoding and presenting the sequence. An apparatus for digital photograph presentation in accordance with one embodiment is a DVD player device (400 or 410) that includes a transcoder (404 or 412) for converting in real-time (see 500) still-picture files to sequences of frames, a navigator (406) for selecting the still-picture files and for controlling the transcoder (404 or 412) to direct presentation of the sequences.

Abstract: A method and system of tracking documents uses tags and a workflow. Initially, a workflow is developed for each document or type of documents using a state diagram. The workflow specifies a subset of one or more destinations that the document is allowed to travel and a sequence for this travel. A tag is associated with each document to enable tracking of the document as it passes the one or more readers in the various destinations. These tag readers in turn report back position information on the document to assist in locating the document. A comparison between the state diagram for the workflow and the position information gathered from the tag readers determines if the document is outside the desired workflow. An alert is generated when the document is outside the workflow and not being processed as intended.

Abstract: A dual-function keyboard with two operational modes, a typing mode and a pointing mode. In the typing mode, each visible key functions as in a standard keyboard. In the pointing mode, all the keys function as pointer controllers. The keyboard also employs a novel “one-hot-encoding” circuitry that simplifies the wiring while allowing digital detection of any number of keys that are simultaneously depressed. The keyboard may be made of flexible materials and may be rolled-up or folded for easy transportation.

Abstract: A method and circuit for transcoding first transform data to second transform data. A low-pass band block is extracted from an input first transform data block. The low-pass band block is transcoded by performing a matrix operation on the low-pass band block using a transcoding matrix to generate a transcoded second transform data block.

Abstract: A first aspect of the present invention is a keypad arrangement for a device. The keypad arrangement includes a molded portion and an underlying display portion coupled to the molded portion capable of dynamically displaying a plurality of different legends whereby each of the plurality of legends is associated with at least one functionality of the device.

Abstract: A system and method for identification tag resolution is disclosed. The method discloses the elements of: identifying a set of attributes for a structure; assigning a tag to the structure; scanning the tag with a tag scanner; and modifying the structure's attributes, in response to scanning the tag. The structure's attributes can be modified in response to a value of a variety of variables, including a spatial variable, an orientational variable, a temporal variable, and a trust variable. The method also discloses that devices can be located proximate to the structure and, after a set of attributes identified for the device, the device's attributes can then be modified in response to scanning the tag. Also disclosed is that a set of attributes for the tag scanner can be identified and modified in response to scanning the tag. The system discloses all means for effecting the method.

Abstract: When editing a digital image that has previously been saved in a lossy manner (whether such losses result from the editing operations and/or from inherently lossy image file formats such as JPEG), each additional editing session typically compounds the overall losses. As an alternative, we disclose creating and storing a proxy for an edited image, the proxy including a baseline image and a series of meta data representing editing operations performed on that image. During a subsequent editing session, the edited image can be partially or wholly reconstructed by applying the meta data to the baseline image, resulting in a comparatively lossless version thereof. The reconstructed image can be used as a starting point for additional edits, thereby minimizing the compound losses that would otherwise have resulted.